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m240 Faulty power switch? Self timer operating when not set


jaques

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Got my first chance to try out my m240 under pressure yesterday at my brothers wedding. Mostly things went smooth- but a persistent error occurred: with the power switch set to S mode- the camera would intermittently/randomly initiate the self timer when I pressed the shutter release button- counting down 2 seconds before firing the shot whilst blasting a bright and very distracting red LED into my eye at the top of the optical finder?

 

Has anyone else heard of or experienced this problem? It must have happened at least 10 times and I missed some important moments like the 'just married kiss'. I had to keep looking at the dial to make sure it hadn't moved somehow but it was always on S?

Edited by jaques
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I only used the self timer once or twice beforehand- just testing a long exposure- and I set it to 2 sec in the menu. Camera has only fired less than 100 frames. I didn't realise that pressing the shutter button re-started the timer but that would explain why some of the shots took more than 2 secs... Press shutter release, nothing?- The LCD said 'releasing in one... two', I was like what? pressing again, blinding red light in view finder blanking out screen, look at the top dial, yes it is set to S :confused:

 

I will have to fire of some frames and see if it happens again. It didn't really matter as I was not the nominated photographer and the angle I had was awful in any case, those shots I did manage were pretty (very) mundane :rolleyes: still It was a bad error. I was wondering if it may be that the power dial needs to 'settle' in?

Edited by jaques
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ok- I reformatted the camera... one day later- the self timer started when I pressed the shutter again- dial set to S. :( seems I have some kind of persistent issue going on... also the camera has frozen a few times - the red light on the back of the camera stays lit even when the camera is powered down, no functions work- and I had to remove the battery to reset it. Seems I have issues:confused:... I guess I will shoot Leica an email...

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reformatting the card did nothing.... as I expected. The self timer error is occurring more often now- so the camera is off to Solms on friday. Dammit! Need to send my M9 in as well as focus is slightly off. I have a bad feeling it will take months before I see either of them again... M less!

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reformatting the card did nothing.... as I expected. The self timer error is occurring more often now- so the camera is off to Solms on friday. Dammit! Need to send my M9 in as well as focus is slightly off. I have a bad feeling it will take months before I see either of them again... M less!

 

I don't think it will take that long (fingers crossed for you) to get your M240 back. A replacement of the power switch/mode selector should have you back in business quickly. A simple fix/remove the top plate/change out switch mechanism. One hour on the bench.

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I hope so! But from experience for Australian Leica owners repairs rarely happen quickly. But then again they have changed their service situation here recently so hopefully things move faster.

 

BTW: does Leica add extra time to the warranty to cover these type of outages?

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Is that such a funny question? I am not rolling on the floor laughing. I waited 6 months for the (extremely expensive) camera and after 1 day it showed problems. If it is gone for months (as I fully expect) getting repaired- I think the warranty should be extended to cover that. As a camera that had issues from day one- if they now need to remove the top cover- effectively I will never have had the properly working, un-molested, un-disasembled brand new camera I paid top dollar for. :mad:NROFL.

Edited by jaques
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Is that such a funny question? I am not rolling on the floor laughing. I waited 6 months for the (extremely expensive) camera and after 1 day it showed problems. If it is gone for months (as I fully expect) getting repaired- I think the warranty should be extended to cover that. As a camera that had issues from day one- if they now need to remove the top cover- effectively I will never have had the properly working, un-molested, un-disasembled brand new camera I paid top dollar for. :mad:NROFL.

 

I'm sorry Jaques, my response was insensitive and I apologize. I don't believe Leica is going to officially give you any additional time on your warranty, as doing so would set a precedent for others, but I do believe that you have a valid point and that in the event your camera required service after the warranty expired that your concerns would not fall on deaf ears.

 

I realize you are frustrated, and you would have preferred a perfect working camera from day one, but after your M240 returns from Solms that is exactly what you will have. In fact I think many people would be surprised at how "molested" there M240s are during assembly and test at Leica. Even though it will have been disassembled and molested it will also be as new, fully tested and hopefully ready to give years of photographic enjoyment.

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no worries- apology accepted- I am a bit grumpy is all. One of the factors that balanced the ledger in favour of selling my m9 and getting the M was the new warranty- and a notion that it may be more reliable/robust (weather sealed, sturdier frame/base, etc)... this unfortunate matter has shaken that notion... I think it may have been deluded...

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.. this unfortunate matter has shaken that notion... I think it may have been deluded...

 

Keep the faith, explain your frustrations and concerns clearly to Leica and let's see how this turns out, but my guess is that you will be back up and shooting in no time with a perfect M240.

 

That is unless Jaap has the entire factory come to a halt to fix his camera first!!!

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Most likely a faulty switch, but might be worth reloading firmware before you send off the camera. I suspect the switch doesn't actually make and break contacts like the good old ones, but may be some kind of magnetic sensor device, so it's *just" possible the firmware might be the problem.

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I suspect the switch doesn't actually make and break contacts like the good old ones...

 

It doesn't, but instead sends a command to the CPU. Not sure if I agree with your statement about "the good old ones" as this new style power switch is smart enough not to switch the power off while still writing files to the SD card.

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It doesn't, but instead sends a command to the CPU. Not sure if I agree with your statement about "the good old ones" as this new style power switch is smart enough not to switch the power off while still writing files to the SD card.

 

I should have added " on film cameras"!

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Leica says the camera must go back to Germany for repair and agree there is virtually no chance this has anything to do with the SD card...

 

Leica Australia are going to try and arrange a loan camera for me- which I am very happy about - if it comes to fruition.

 

I have a question about the new switch: Mr Norton demonstrated how the design on the M8/M9 cameras was a little problematic as it allowed dust, debris and water ingress into the camera. I assume the new one does not allow such unwanted and outrageous intrusions? Not that I would ever do it: but could I pour water into the cable release socket safe in the knowledge that it won't get far and could do nothing wherever it ended up?

Edited by jaques
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I don't know anyone who has taken an M240 apart, nor have I seen any manufacturing specs on the new "weatherproofing" techniques being applied, but there are many reports of M240s being used in light and heavy rain (I have done this) and I have heard one report (take this with a grain of salt) concerning a Korean gentleman who briefly submerged his M240 (accidentally) in salt water and that the camera survived with no ill effects. I do not recommend trying this...;)

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